Commentators consistently underestimate our depth for three reasons:
1) they don't follow lower grades like we do
2) they wrongly equate Reserve grade/ NYC success with depth
3) they are morons who hate us

Surely, the true test of depth is the quality of your 18-25 ranked players... ie those who will do most of the back-up. On that measure, I struggle to find a team with a better quality 18-25 this year. Can you?

We've signed a few forwards which could turn out to be good, time will tell. Our depth is definitely looking healthier than last year. Having said that we haven't struggled badly over the last 5-10 years fro depth, we always seem to unearth someone or pick up good under rated recruits. One spot I think we are light on for depth is centre. If we lose Killer or Skivvi we might struggle, T-Red can fill a hole for a couple of games but not a long term fix.

I think that there will be some good benches around this season, Dogs will field a big pack and have good depth, even losing Ennis and Finucane.

To me it looks good. I like Snake being covered. I thought in 2011 with Hoppa the pressure was taken off him. He seemed to add a week to recovery time, because we didn't need to hurry him back, and that meant he came back fresher, fitter, and I think a point to prove that the young buck wasn't quite as good as him!

Pretty good selection.
I'm a fan of using Fullbacks as wingers. Defensively a must in the modern game.
With good players like Jorge's or Wolfy's inability to defuse bombs were telling and it costs us BIG games. Their days as Wingers should be numbered and they better adapt to playing Second Row or Centre or playing reserve grade.
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Pretty good selection.
I'm a fan of using Fullbacks as wingers. Defensively a must in the modern game.
With good players like Jorge's or Wolfy's inability to defuse bombs were telling and it costs us BIG games. Their days as Wingers should be numbered and they better adapt to playing Second Row or Centre or playing reserve grade.
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Naturally we here are all going to think that Manly have the greatest depth, simply because we are Manly fans who discuss and read/hear reports on not just our main stay players but also our fringe, NYC and NSW cup players. IMHO I don't think Manly has the greatest depth this year but they will still be very competitive (more so than last year) should players be injured or called up for rep games.

A number of other teams including the Panthers (who were very competitive last season when injuries struck many of their players) have strong depth and it's these teams that will go close to winning the competition this year.

If we lose Killer then I would be very worried. Everyone pencils him in to cover other major losses but I'm not sure we could cover him.

There will be a catastrophic loss some time this season. It happens to every team almost every year. We have worked hard on recruitment via the youngsters and it is up to them to step up when called upon. That is what makes each new year so exciting for me, anticipating who can make a difference.

One thing I do know, is that we have an amazing roster 1 through 25. We have a great home ground (mainly because of the people), and an awesome / loyal supporter base overall. Those tough years just after Northern Eagles days paid the way for what we see today, and makes our quality and ability that much more enjoyable.

Personally, I think we support the best team in the NRL.

I know, I'm proud as punch when people ask me who I support. "Manly, straight up". I remember as an old Bears supporter, it used to be shoulders down, "Bears, but don't hold that against me". LOL.
Ans as soon as people say, "Oh God, not MANLY", I always reply with, "well, someone has to support the winners, don't they. It's just the Aussie way for most people to support the underdog & losers, so you go ahead and keep supporting Westst Tigers".